Gaza city: Teams from Hamas and the Red Cross are set to undertake two joint search operations on Sunday in Israeli-controlled areas of the Gaza Strip to locate the remains of Israeli captives, Israeli media have reported. These operations are scheduled to occur in Khan Younis and the Shejaiya neighborhood of eastern Gaza City, following formal approval from Israel's political leadership.
According to Anadolu Agency, Israel's public broadcaster KAN revealed that the search operations are part of the current ceasefire agreement, effective since October 10. Under this agreement, Israel maintains control over the 'yellow line,' an area covering approximately 50% of Gaza's territory, extending from the southern North Gaza governorate to the outskirts of Rafah in the south, although no boundary markers define this region.
KAN, citing unnamed Israeli sources, indicated that Hamas is expected to transfer any remains found to Israel for examination. Preparations are reportedly underway in Israel to receive the remains of hostages this evening, though no further details have been provided. Hamas has not commented on the report.
Since the ceasefire began, Hamas has released 20 Israeli captives alive and handed over the remains of 19 out of 28, mostly Israelis. However, Israel claimed that one of the received bodies did not match any of its listed captives. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that since the ceasefire, Israel has killed 211 Palestinians and injured 597 others.
Israel has made the handover of all hostage remains a condition for beginning negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire. Hamas has stated that the process is time-consuming due to the extensive destruction in Gaza. The first phase of the deal involves the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and includes plans for Gaza's reconstruction and the establishment of a new governing mechanism excluding Hamas.
Since October 2023, Israeli attacks in Gaza have killed more than 68,800 people, predominantly women and children, and injured over 170,600 others.